Consider this: A space born from destruction. Hauser Plads is more than just a square. It is a testament to Copenhagen’s resilience. It is located in the Old Town.
Hauser Plads is separated from Kultorvet by the old Copenhagen Central Library. This youngest public square in Copenhagen’s Old Town has a fascinating past.
The British bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807 devastated the city center. After the bombardment, the area that is now Hauser Plads became a timber yard. Craftsmen rebuilt the city and stored timber here. It wasn’t until the 1840s that it became an official square.
Before the bombardment, St. Gertrud’s Cemetery occupied this space in the 16th century. Later, buildings covered the area. The Copenhagen Fire of 1795 destroyed it again. The city rebuilt it only to see it destroyed once more in 1807. A workhouse that was run by the city’s Poor Authority burned down during the attack.
Conrad Caspar Hauser bought empty lots here in 1809. He had moved from Basel after marrying a Danish ambassador’s sister. The area became known as Hauser Plads.
In 1818, there was a proposal for a proper square to relieve pressure on Kultorvet. Kultorvet was the city’s busy coal market. City architect Peder Malling designed a plan. Hauser suggested a fountain. The fire brigade supported the idea. Malling designed a lion’s head fountain, but it was never built. The square wasn’t completed until 1939.
The square was originally named Suhrs Plads after historian Peter Frederik Suhm. He had lived here until he died in 1798. But the name Hauser Plads was more popular. It was used on the first street signs.
In the 1950s, buildings on the west side were torn down. They made way for the new Central Library. These buildings dated back to the 1830s. The new library was completed in 1957.
Hauser Plads was renovated in 2011. The project included Købmagergade and Kultorvet. Polyform and Karres en Brands won the design competition.
An underground parking facility was converted into a Cleaning Facility Center. The premises have a sunken courtyard. It optimizes natural daylight. There are offices, a canteen, showers, changing rooms and parking spaces. A landscaped playground surrounds the courtyard.
Conrad Caspar Hauser’s house from 1811 still stands at No. 32. The facade on Hauser Plads was altered around 1870. The buildings were listed in 1929 and 1945.
The building at No. 24 is from 1730. It is the only one that predates the 1807 bombardment. Buildings at No. 10–18 and No. 26 date from the 1820s and 1830s. They are also listed.
Restaurant Schønnemann at No. 16 has been around since 1870. It is one of the oldest smørrebrød restaurants in Copenhagen.
Søren Kierkegaard mentioned Hauser Plads in his Stages on Life’s Way. He used to visit Hauser Plads every Wednesday at 4 am.
Today, Hauser Plads is a blend of old and new. It has a futuristic playground. It is also home to the city’s Cleaning Facilities Centre. The offices are underground. The playground is nicknamed “the Aalto Vase.” It has metal domes, swings, a sandpit and climbing poles. The surfaces are made of grass and rubber.
Every Friday in the 1830s and 40s, Søren Kierkegaard met his fiancພ Regine here. Some buildings from that time remain.
Hauser Plads demonstrates how to use existing spaces in a densely packed city. By building downwards, the city created a green courtyard and office spaces. The offices get plenty of daylight.
Hauser Plads is an example of urban densification. It adds scenic qualities to the city. It offers recreational areas for citizens. It is an oasis in the heart of Copenhagen.
Hauser Plads is more than just a square. It is a place where history, innovation, and community meet. It shows Copenhagen’s ability to adapt and thrive.